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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
glenn erby

2024 NFL free agency: 15 Early potential targets for the Ravens

We’re less than a month away from NFL free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. But the legal tampering window opens two days before that on March 11 at noon ET, where teams can negotiate with free agents before the official start of the new league year.

The 2024 salary cap hasn’t been set yet, but it’s expected to land north of $240 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

The Ravens are among several NFL teams that have some work to do over the next month to rebuild their roster, and they’ll work to free up cash with two All-Pros set to hit free agency.

1
Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Dolphins

Dec 31, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) gains yardage in the third quarter defended by Miami Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Van Ginkel was productive in his one season with Miami, starting 11 games for the Dolphins in 2023 and logging 69 tackles, an interception, and a career-high six sacks.

Van Ginkel (6-4, 242) offers versatility, playing some inside linebacker, while flourishing as an edge rusher.

2
Gabe Davis, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Bills receiver Gabe Davis keeps is fee in bounds for a touchdown against Miami’s Eric Rowe. This turned out to be the game winning touchdown as the Bills beat Miami 34-31 in the wildcard playoff game.

Lamar Jackson won’t fully take the next step until he has two reliable pass catchers on the outside.

A Gabe Davis-Zay Flowers duo would be dynamic and explosive.

The Bills wideout is a vertical deep threat who has averaged 16.7 yards per reception, and scored 27 touchdowns over the past four seasons.

3
Josey Jewell, LB, Broncos

Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell (47) during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

A Former fourth-round pick out of Iowa who has played all six of his NFL seasons in Denver, Jewell averaged 108 tackles the past two seasons despite missing five games because of injuries.

He’s still a smart, instinctive player and a strong tackler.

4
S Kyle Dugger, Patriots

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) is tackled by New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) after a catch.

5
EDGE Chase Young

Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass over San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The former No. 2 overall pick did have 66 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 16 games with the 49ers and Washington Commanders. Just 24, Young could be perfect for hometown fit for the Ravens.

6
Kamren Curl, S, Commanders

Bills receiver Emmanuel Sanders holds on to this pass behind Washington’s Kamren Curl for a 5 yard touchdown.

Curl is a versatile safety that would allow Kyle Hamilton to remain a Swiss army knife.

With Washington, he played 24 percent of his snaps last season in the box and 14 percent in the slot.

7
Xavier McKinney, S, Giants

Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) reacts before the game against Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Like Curl, McKinney offers versatility and flourishes as a deep safety, allowing Kyle Hamilton to do his thing again.

According to PFF, McKinney had a top-10 coverage grade in deep and box alignments last season.

8
Devin White, LB, Buccaneers

Dec 31, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackle during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

White finished the 2023 regular season with 83 tackles (49 solo), including 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and an additional four defensed passes across 14 games. He added three assisted tackles in the Buccaneers’ two postseason games.

The veteran could be the perfect replacement for Patrick Queen.

9
Kenneth Murray,LB, Chargers

Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) moves the ball against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Murray registered 107 tackles (79 solo), four passes defensed, three sacks and one interception across 15 games for the Chargers during the 2023 season.

Murray missed the final two games of the season due to a shoulder injury, but the 25-year-old linebacker had his most productive professional campaign to date.

10
Willie Gay Jr., LB, Chiefs

Jan 30, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs middle linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (50) reacts during the first half of the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Gay has earned the role as a starting linebacker since entering the league in 2020 as a second-round draft pick and has now won back-to-back championships as the starting weakside linebacker for the Chiefs.

Gay’s 88 tackles during the 2022 season, ranking third on the team.

During the 2023 season — he posted 58 tackles, and according to Pro Football Focus, Gay posted grades of at least 66.5 during his first three seasons in the league. He ranked 20th among all players in his position during the 2021 season and 32nd during the 2022 season.

11
Jeremy Chinn, S, Panthers

Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) is tackled by Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn (21) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Chinn finished the 2023 regular season with 30 tackles (18 solo), including one sack, and one pass defended in 12 games.

Chinn’s production has declined across each of his four NFL seasons, and the former 2020 second-round pick land elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

12
Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders

Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson (24) runs the ball as Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis (27) defends in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Gibson finished 2023 with 65 carries for 265 yards and a touchdown and 48 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns on 59 targets.

Gibson offers a rare combination of size and speed.

13
Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) heads to the goal line in the second quarter past Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith (3), Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Barkley amassed 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns last year while adding 280 receiving yards and four scores.

A star running back who wants to play in a Super Bowl, Barkley could jump in front of Derrick Henry for a team-friendly team on the NFL’s most explosive offense.

14
Jeff Okudah, CB, Falcons

Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Trishton Jackson (9) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

15
D'Andre Swift, RB, Eagles

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The dual-threat running back could be a good addition to pair with Justice Hill while Keaton Mitchell rehabs his torn ACL.

16
Josh Uche, DE, Patriots

Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) tries to tackle Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) in the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

17
A.J. Dillon, RB, Packers,

Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes tackles Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.

Dillon logged 178 carries for 613 yards and two touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 223 yards over 15 games in the 2023 season.

Dillon saw action in Green Bay’s first 14 games of the season, but his yards per carry have dipped each of the last three seasons and Baltimore could be the perfect change of scenery.

18
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, Lions

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 14: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #2 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Gardner-Johnson tore a pectoral muscle in Week 2 and did not play again until the regular-season finale against Minnesota. He finished the regular season with 16 tackles and one INT in three games.

In 2022 with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions with six picks in just 12 games, and Eric DeCosta could look to add the dynamic deep safety to Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams.

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